The
Pasadena Playhouse was a renowned school of acting as well as a
legitimate theatre, giving students at its College of Theatre Arts first-hand
experience on the stage. Founded in 1917, the school closed in 1969 - although
it remains open as a theatre. In between, it was declared the "State Theatre
of California" by unanimous vote of the state legislature. In the
1930s, 40s, and 50s it was known as "Hollywood’s talent factory."

A
surprising number of celebrated Hollywood actors were discovered as students
at this small playhouse, including:

Most of these aspiring
actors started at the Pasadena Playhouse when they were in their late teens
or early twenties, and many were so poor at the time that they required
a scholarship to pay the school's tuition. Gig
Young worked as a car-hop in addition
to his scholarship at the Playhouse. Victor
Mature (19 at the time) lived in a tent
(borrowed from the school) on a friend's property; he
performed in over 100 plays at the Playhouse before he was finally discovered
by Hal Roach.

William
Holden was discovered here at age 20,
while playing an 80-year-old man on stage.

Robert
Preston did 42 plays over two years, before
being discovered by Paramount at age 20.

Gloria Stuart
("Titanic") was discovered by Hollywood talent scouts
at the Playhouse in 1931 while appearing in one of their smaller theaters.

Others were even
more fortunate. Eleanor Parkerwas
discovered at age 18 by a Warner Brothers agent while she was sitting in
the audience of the Pasadena Playhouse, after just one semester
at the school.

M*A*S*H's 'Klinger',
Jamie Farr,
paid his way through a year here by working at an army/navy store, and
riding the bus to work each day.

Gene Hackmanwas an exception. He was 30 years old when
he decided to take up acting. He and fellow student Dustin Hoffman
were voted "Least Likely to Succeed"...

Getting
there:
The Playhouse is located on El Molino Avenue, one half block south of Colorado
Boulevard. From the (northeast) end of the Pasadena Freeway, take
Arroyo Seco north to Colorado Boulevard. Turn right (east) on Colorado,
and go east (about three quarters of a mile) to El Molino Avenue. Turn
right (south) on El Molino.

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